Expanding Bradford-based motor dealers JCT600 outperformed the market and pushed up profits to £8.2 million last year.

The family-owned business, which has more than 40 outlets across the North, achieved a turnover of £465m for the 12 months to December 31, 2009.

The results were achieved on the back of an “exceptionally strong” used car sales performance, up 13 per cent on 2008, a cost-reduction drive and focusing on customer care initiatives.

As well as boosting sales at its existing dealerships, the group also expanded its operations with the acquisition of Audi dealerships in York and Hull in August and the acquisition of three further Audi dealerships in Boston, Lincoln and Grimsby this March.

The group now employs 1,350 staff at its 48 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and the North East.

Nigel Shaw, finance director, said: “2008 was particularly tough for the car industry, but we successfully weathered the storm and believe that the worst is now over.

“During the last year, we have strengthened our position by reducing costs and implementing creative marketing initiatives, with a particular focus on improving our online presence, as well as building our used car stocks to take advantage of the impetus provided by the scrappage scheme.”

John Tordoff, chief executive, said: “We were able to establish a strong platform from which to further expand the group and we took the opportunity of adding the prestigious Audi marque to complement our existing offering as well as increasing our geographic coverage. We expect the addition of these established franchises to have a significant impact on further growing our sales.”

Last month JCT600 achieved its best week ever, selling 632 retail cars with a value of more than £10 million.

The JCT600 group now operates dealerships selling 22 brands, including Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.